The Spring

Owen called me over to see the HooDoo he built with his Legos.  It pays to get out. :)

This was such a fun rainy hike/bike we did with friends in the neighborhood (Toll Canyon).

This is the spot where we ditch the bikes and get onto the trail.  There is a nice little bench and watering hole.  Good thing the Hulk came.  I adore these smiles and faces.  Seriously, I can't stop smiling looking at this picture.

Griffin is Owen's "big brother".  He is SO sweet with him.  Here, he is helping him up this slippery and slightly steep hillside.

Paddington Bear.  I remember Evan wearing this rain gear....12 or 14 years ago.  Crazy.  

Painting our nails.

I walked away for a minute and Ruby broke out the polish on her own and painted her own nail.  She was so proud. :)

Swimming!  Check out this video of Ruby swimming.  She is a fish!  So is Owen, but he got stage fright so we will have to catch him next time.

https://vimeo.com/98606709

One of our best friends, Justin, turned 40 a few weeks ago.  Seriously, could this family get any cuter?  We organized a game for his party called "Can I beat the 40 year old?".  Even the kids participated (see video).  Don't judge the kids on the shot ski at the beginning.  It was juice. 

Video of the action-

https://vimeo.com/98606710

Owen needed a haircut.  While I ran in to ask if there was a wait, he was rifling around the car and found some mustaches.  He announced, "I will wear one of these while I get a haircut.".  "Okay, " I say.  Why not?

I had an abundance of pureed beets frozen since last summer...or the summer before??  Anyway, they needed to be used.  Foodgawker is an awesome website.  Gave me the idea to use them for this.  After trying them, Ruby and Owen said, "We are off orange pancakes (my other version with sweet potatoes in them), and like pink ones better."  Well okay then.  I guess I know how the rest of the beets will be used.

Does look pretty good.  I still won't eat them.

 

And, one for baby.

Geo caching is our new favorite thing to do.  Ruby and Owen call it "treasure hunting", which is really what it is.  We even bought some squinkies to leave in the containers when there is space.  It is fun to be able to take a treasure and leave a treasure. Owen loves to hold the map and guide us in and Ruby is a diligent hunter once we are in the vicinity.

Owen used my kitchen to stage his latest fort.  I give em an A for creativity.

June 17th, 2014- a big snow storm- Seriously?

One of my greatest desires, aside from their health and general satisfaction with life, is that these two remain as close and good friends as they are now.  It defines joy to watch them love each other.

Here is a video of them telling jokes together at snack time.  I hope you can hear the words. 

https://vimeo.com/98606708

Red Canyon

Did our first camping trip with Ruby and Owen and another family.  Actually, we once camped with others when they were really young, and yes they could cry a lot, but now, their depth and breadth of unpredictability is much wider, which made us a little nervous.  Aside from a few melt downs,  Owen needing to get into EVERYTHING he was not supposed to including an affection for the sharp knives for cooking and little camping hatchet, we did alright.  We even got away for a few hours while Kirbys watched Ruby and Owen so we could mountain bike the Thunder Mt trail.  

I love that the Halloween cat made it into the car with Graham.  Sometimes I think we are the only ones with random things constantly making the trip with us to Home Depot or the grocery store just because choosing the fight to leave it at home is so not worth it.  Plus, I am pretty sure we had the coolest camping decorations in the whole campground.

Ruby declared that this is her "camping dress".  My stylista.

There was a great paved biking trail that we could walk to from camp.  Great for budding bikers.

Ms Greta :)...riding her new bike with GEARS mind you.  Impressive.

 Greta in this great little climbing tree in our campsite.  The three three year olds were envious for sure of her climbing abilities AND her ability to escape them.

Graham in Chip's hat.  Love it.  

We did group dinners and breakfasts, which is a nice change and break from camping alone.  Here, Chip is about to enjoy a hot dog donned with mac and cheese, avocado and red peppers.

I tried to get the four kids to pose for a picture, but the only posing going on was for silliness.  Oh well, I will take what I can get.

Kirbys made "Eggs in Purgatory" for breakfast.  It was delicious and beautiful.  Eggs cooked in a hole in French Bread and then topped with marinara and a little cheese.  Delish and gourmet for camping!

It was Jess and Stephan's anniversary so they even brought flowers!  And, (below) Chip and I also watched Graham and Greta so they too could ride on their own.  We, tried to hike up to the "Golden Wall".  It was .7 miles to get there, which sounds really doable until you factor in four kids, three under 4 years old.  We stopped at every bench, had lots of snacks and rests, took and hour and a half....and still didn't make it.  But, I don't think anyone really cared so it's all good. :)

 Da Boys.

Our ride.

 It was AMAZING!

.

Chip is in this one.  Blue shirt.

Family hike on Sunday- Pink Ledges.  8 person selfie. :)

And baby, Ruby loves you so.  We almost lost you at the end of this hike in the visitor's center, but somehow Ruby always remembers to double check for you before we drive away from places.  Ruby named one of these HooDoos "Cupcake HooDoo".  It was the first thing she told her teacher about on Tuesday when asked about the trip.  So cute.  Thanks for a great trip Team Kirby!

Sisters Descend!

Mindy arrived Friday night and Tina Saturday afternoon. Our first stop on the way home from the airport was....Ruby Snap!  The best cookie shop in the nation....well, Utah at least. :)  I mean, they have a cookie named after me.  It has got to be pretty good.  We tried only a dozen while we were in there and took another dozen home.  Mmmmm....the most genuine way to start a Mulliken girl's gathering.

Then, home to pick up Chip and the kids before heading into Park City for some good ole park play.

 Another genuine Mulliken tradition- pizza!  We all helped. :)

Biking into Park City for a cow cookie.  Seriously, are we always motivated by food?

 I took this picture for Tina because she was getting such a kick out of the fact that is was so warm and that there was still snow on the slopes.

Tina did Ruby and Owen's nails.  So cute!  Wish I could say that I have been good about keeping them up.  Owen has asked me at least 3 times to redo them, and I just never find time.  Owen, I promise I will get your orange nails back for ya! (his favorite color)

Ruby even got her toe nails done.

Owen's nails match his bike. Ha!

As long as I am posting pictures of their extremities, this is one is a must.  And....

even better, the full outfit.  Thanks for the new shoes, aunt Tina!  Ruby loves her "tappy shoes".

Another great outfit compliments of new dress up things brought by Aunt Tina.  Dress up never gets old.

Tina reading none other than the big RED tub to Ruby and Owen at the library.

Tina got this cute shot of Ruby lovingly tackling Kessler on the deck.

We had a fun play session outside complete with funny poses, faces, and extreme front yard biking.

The kids went to school on Tuesday and I didn't have clients until starting in the afternoon, which was so perfect- hardly ever happens.  So, just the two of us got to go for a walk, get coffee and, of course, get a crepe at the Java Cow.  We really are motivated by food. :)  It was a great visit and is turning into a fun tradition as Tina makes her way to the Arbonne conference each Spring.  I feel so lucky to have both sisters in town at once and Tina all to ourselves for a few days.  Love you girls!!!